PQA Releases Social Determinants of Health Resource Guide Companion

Alexandria, Va. (December 29, 2025) – The Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) has released a PQA Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Resource Guide Companion, which provides insights on key characteristics of effective partnerships among pharmacies, other health care organizations and community organizations to address SDOH barriers affecting medication access, use and outcomes.

The companion builds on the PQA SDOH Resource Guide, which profiles 40 SDOH services focused on screenings, referrals and interventions to improve medication use quality. From the first-hand perspectives of individuals leading SDOH programs featured in the guide, the companion discusses types of partnerships in SDOH initiatives and the strategic approaches and supporting program attributes that are common.

“Pharmacies are partnering across health care and throughout their communities to address patients’ unmet social needs,” said PQA Education Director Tammy Malm, PharmD, MPH, BCPS. “This companion provides insights on effective partnerships, building on PQA’s work to document SDOH programs that are addressing barriers that impact medication use quality. We hope it provides ideas and inspiration for new and expanded efforts to address SDOH barriers.”

The strategic approaches documented in the companion that were deemed important to success are: identifying one key SDOH barrier to address, assembling a skilled team, on-site engagement, partnering with a community-based organization and defining measurable success. Additionally, supporting attributes of effective partnerships include mission alignment, adaptability, project champions, communication and humanity.

For each strategic approach and attribute, the companion provides insights on why it matters, how to use it in partnerships and markers of success. This information is bolstered by real-world examples that bring the concepts to life.

This activity was supported by an independent education grant from Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.